The Viking Sea pulled in at Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts. This island is lush with unspoiled vistas and old sugarcane fields. Together, St. Kitts and its neighboring island of Nevis comprise the smallest independent country in the Americas. Home to vervet monkeys, banana trees and coconut palms, St. Kitts coastal road leads to white-sand beaches and calm bays. Basseterre is one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean, dotted with Victorian and Georgian architecture.

It was drizzling when we started our tour at 9:30 AM and everyone felt cold after getting wet from the shower, the freezing temperature inside the old van did not help!

The drive around town was boring, or so it seemed to me anyway, since the houses and buildings are similar throughout the Caribbean. It was a Sunday so the streets were almost deserted including the Catholic and Anglican churches we passed. Tyler, our driver/tour guide was difficult to understand due to his thick island accent but there really was nothing interesting for him to tell us anyway. He pointed to the KFC and other points of minor interests just so he can keep on talking. Tyler explained that sugarcane was a major crop in the past; however, it became unprofitable so subsequently the government sold the lands to foreign investors who developed them into hotels, resort, shopping centers, etc. We saw new buildings along the coast as we headed to our destination.

Compared to the other Caribbean islands, St. Kitts and Nevis has the most fertile lands enabling them to grow many agricultural crops that other islands, that are volcanic, import. By the way, gasoline here is a whopping $13 per gallon.

The only existing French plantation house on St. Kitts, the Fairview Great House was built circa 1701 and originally housed French military officers. Today, guests can tour the beautifully restored property, taking in the period furnishings, kitchen, apiary, chapel, and bathhouse before exploring the two-and-a-half acres of botanical gardens, filled with tropical flowers, fruit trees, and monkeys.

Slave trade was common during these era and St. Kitts and Nevis were not an exception. The estate’s cellar had huge posters that chronologically narrated the history of slavery in the islands.

After an hour of touring the huge estate we finally went back to the ship. Of course, the only way to get back there is through a myriad of souvenir shops. We couldn’t resist the low prices in this one shop and Trini was allowed to haggle. There were three cruise ships in town including us – Viking, Norwegian Cruise and another one that I’ve never seen before. So the harbor was really crowded. Business was brisk – lots of knock off watches and designer bags on display. Of course, we bought the mandatory magnet; a ball cap and faux straw hat for me (made in China); tote bags for pasalubong. Oya bought a Christmas tree globe decoration which she buys a different one from every island.

After shopping, we made our way back to the ship passing crowds of cruiser in bars and benches enjoying Carib, the regional beer. Each one carrying a shopping bag to take back wherever they’re from!

Another day in paradise….